are starling resistant half moon slots effective????
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jr 2
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:20 pm
- Location: ohio,proctorville(just across ohio river from huntington,west virginia)
i bought half moon starling resistant doors from nature house that makes my m12k houses and i watched the starlings go right in,,,you see 10 of them here at a time;;;;don't think i am a loud too shoot them here as houses are too close;;have my house about 40 too 30 feet from trees, only have 40 by 160ft. lot with house
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Indiana_Tom
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 10:01 am
- Location: Paragon, Indiana
Hi jr 2,
I am in Indiana and have used the crescent entrances for three years now. I have never seen a starling that was able to get in my gourds. I have watched several try but they give up and leave.
The Starlings down south are supposed to be smaller than the ones up here so the entrances may not be as effective there as up north.
It is important to make sure the crescent entrance is the correct size. There are several locations here where you can find the correct dimension. If you are using an outside porch, it is very important that it is no more that 1/8 inch below the bottom of the entrance opening. A porch attached lower than this will only help a starling breech the entrance. If your porches are too low, others with the same problem have added a layer of material to achieve the correct dimensions. Keep in mind the surface needs to be rough so martins can push with their feet and not just slide.
Best of luck and hope this was helpful.
Thanks PMCA for adding spell check. Never kould spel
I am in Indiana and have used the crescent entrances for three years now. I have never seen a starling that was able to get in my gourds. I have watched several try but they give up and leave.
The Starlings down south are supposed to be smaller than the ones up here so the entrances may not be as effective there as up north.
It is important to make sure the crescent entrance is the correct size. There are several locations here where you can find the correct dimension. If you are using an outside porch, it is very important that it is no more that 1/8 inch below the bottom of the entrance opening. A porch attached lower than this will only help a starling breech the entrance. If your porches are too low, others with the same problem have added a layer of material to achieve the correct dimensions. Keep in mind the surface needs to be rough so martins can push with their feet and not just slide.
Best of luck and hope this was helpful.
Thanks PMCA for adding spell check. Never kould spel
2009, 1 pair of SYs w/4 eggs - wait, no 4 babies and all 4 fledged. What a great experience.
2010, 2 ASY pair and 2 SY pair 18eggs / 14 fledged.
2011, 12 pair with 49 eggs, 43 fledged.
2012, 20 pair with 113 eggs as of 1 June
2013, 22 pair with 112 eggs as of 9 June
2014, 23 pair with 113 eggs
2010, 2 ASY pair and 2 SY pair 18eggs / 14 fledged.
2011, 12 pair with 49 eggs, 43 fledged.
2012, 20 pair with 113 eggs as of 1 June
2013, 22 pair with 112 eggs as of 9 June
2014, 23 pair with 113 eggs
I have incredible starling pressure and a wife that wont let me kill them. I had 5 gourds with starling eggs. 4 were cresent and 1 was bat wing, all Troyers. After the established nest I place a rat trap in them and killed them. Shhh, don't tell my wife. There is a trap available but I haven't gotten it yet.
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dancingirl76
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:09 am
- Location: Albia, IA
I certainly don't like killing things at all, but a pest is a pest. I was always the kid that if I found dead toad or bird we had to bury it, a hurt bunny feed it for a few days, etc. But if something is a pest I have no problem "taking care of it". Starlings WILL kill your martins, they WILL run them off, and they WILL destroy eggs and kill nestlings. If she hasn't seen that yet, then that is just luck, and luck does run out. It is just a matter of time.
The only good HOSP or Starling is a dead one!
The only good HOSP or Starling is a dead one!
dancingirl76
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
I live in south LA. I have not had starling problems with the crescents. I've seen a couple of thrm try to go inside but didn't. They flew off after a few tries. I have Big Bo gourds with a porch entrance nearly flush with the bottom of the opening.
I won't go as far as to say they are starling proof since many people report starlings getting through. But at my site they have worked so far.
I won't go as far as to say they are starling proof since many people report starlings getting through. But at my site they have worked so far.
Hi Jr 2
I had starlings breach some crescent entrances a few years ago. I discovered the holes were a little larger than 1 3/16 of an inch high, which will admit starlings. Also, some starlings can enter just about any SREH hole, if the porch is too low. I have had starlings in the past enter Modified Excluder, and Excluder II holes. When I raised the porches to less than 1/8 of an inch below the hole, it stopped all the starlings from getting in. Starlings cannot enter an SREH being nearly flush with the hole, because their longer legs become useless for pushing themselves in. Martins have very short legs, so the higher porch level does not bother them.
Gary
I had starlings breach some crescent entrances a few years ago. I discovered the holes were a little larger than 1 3/16 of an inch high, which will admit starlings. Also, some starlings can enter just about any SREH hole, if the porch is too low. I have had starlings in the past enter Modified Excluder, and Excluder II holes. When I raised the porches to less than 1/8 of an inch below the hole, it stopped all the starlings from getting in. Starlings cannot enter an SREH being nearly flush with the hole, because their longer legs become useless for pushing themselves in. Martins have very short legs, so the higher porch level does not bother them.
Gary
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jr 2
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:20 pm
- Location: ohio,proctorville(just across ohio river from huntington,west virginia)
wanted too thank everyone for their help; i enjoy being on here;;my cresent holes are in the door that i bought from nature house for my m12k,,they are one eight inch from bottom too bottom of hole,,had i person say they need too be less the one eight from porch;;;if i add a layer too porch the doors won't open and has anyone have a suggestion what too use on the porch;;i guess i could cut the bottom of the doors off;;how low is too low of the hole for martins???/ could i use foof shingles and how would i attach???? jr 2
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 902#143902
Above is a thread where I discuss some attempts to solve this.. It's too much trouble...no wait; nothing's too much trouble for martins!
In addition to above (adding little sub porches to Trio doors) have been thinking on interior wing entrapment guards as a way to make a hole more starling restrictive. Maybe if the interior crescent had a wing guard made of a snug PVC arch, about one inch wide, it would slow down a starling. I think Scott D here has found that an aluminum flat bar guard thwarted starlings by eliminating their ability to stick their heads in and shimmy upward for leverage. S&K does this on some of its clinger tunnels and some users may know whether they think they are more starling resistant. I hope to experiment more this over winter and next season, likely with some Trio doors.
John M
Above is a thread where I discuss some attempts to solve this.. It's too much trouble...no wait; nothing's too much trouble for martins!
In addition to above (adding little sub porches to Trio doors) have been thinking on interior wing entrapment guards as a way to make a hole more starling restrictive. Maybe if the interior crescent had a wing guard made of a snug PVC arch, about one inch wide, it would slow down a starling. I think Scott D here has found that an aluminum flat bar guard thwarted starlings by eliminating their ability to stick their heads in and shimmy upward for leverage. S&K does this on some of its clinger tunnels and some users may know whether they think they are more starling resistant. I hope to experiment more this over winter and next season, likely with some Trio doors.
John M
When I modified the porchs levels on my aluminum Waters edge house, I glued plastic planks on the doors, and made them virtually flush with the hole. There is no issue with opening or closing the doors when doing it this way, because the planks are not attached to the shelf.
Gary
Gary
ron20m : Go to you tube and put in a search "starling attack purple martin" . See if it makes any differance to your wife. You just cant have sparrows and starlings in your martin house it isn`t fair to them,I know you already know that, good luck.
Ed
Ed
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jr 2
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:20 pm
- Location: ohio,proctorville(just across ohio river from huntington,west virginia)
thanks for your suggestion and pic on the alumium siding door porch;;;would this be too slick for the martins???is this only 2 inches from door out toowards railing with door closed;;think i will try this on 1 of my trio houses;;;;jr 2
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jr 2
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:20 pm
- Location: ohio,proctorville(just across ohio river from huntington,west virginia)
when is the best time too change my round hole doors too the cresent ones????since my 2 pair are using the round hole this year if i change too cresent over winter will they accept the chane next year when they come back or do i need too leave their house the way it is up put up a house with cresents beside it since i have several more houses that i would like too add;;;thanks jr 2
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
I'd not change this late in the season, but I suggest changing over winter -- all of them. A returning martin that is bonded to the site and has never used a crescent may hestiate for a few minutes, but then should be fine.
I'd not do this using "excluders" because those are more restrictive. And..maybe not set the sub porch on all the doors at first, as it does make it a little more restrictive too, but at one site where I have them on two Trios, martins are using them fine this season and I did not add traction...but you could. You also could attach factory porches used for gourds..aluminum or plastic... and cut out a little notch for the floor clip. I found two inches cleared the railing, but if you could go 2.5..might better to thwart starlings from using their leggs for leverage.
John M
I'd not do this using "excluders" because those are more restrictive. And..maybe not set the sub porch on all the doors at first, as it does make it a little more restrictive too, but at one site where I have them on two Trios, martins are using them fine this season and I did not add traction...but you could. You also could attach factory porches used for gourds..aluminum or plastic... and cut out a little notch for the floor clip. I found two inches cleared the railing, but if you could go 2.5..might better to thwart starlings from using their leggs for leverage.
John M
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MidTNJerry
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:14 am
- Location: Tennessee/Murfreesboro
Tennessee here.
I've had starlings trying to get into my half-moon entrances all season, and not one of them were able to squeeze in.
So far, 100% success with half-moons here.
I've had starlings trying to get into my half-moon entrances all season, and not one of them were able to squeeze in.
So far, 100% success with half-moons here.
2013 -
2012 - Dawnsong CD playing every morning. Many, many visitors.
2011 - Many visitors.
2012 - Dawnsong CD playing every morning. Many, many visitors.
2011 - Many visitors.
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dancingirl76
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:09 am
- Location: Albia, IA
Tennessee, you must have the same fat starlings as we have in Iowa. None can get through mine either. I've had a pretty good laugh a few times watching them earlier in the spring try. They gave up and moved on.
dancingirl76
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Indiana_Tom
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 10:01 am
- Location: Paragon, Indiana
Hi all,
I seem to have the fat starlings here in central Indiana too because I have never seen a starling get into a crescent entrance. (peck on wood)
My starlings look like a black foot ball propped up on two tooth picks.
I hope the dummys that brought starling and the HOSP into this country are buried under a large martin rousting site.
The question about when to change the entrance from round to crescent. Some will say a good time is when eggs or young babies are their. The thinking is that the parents will get in and get confortable with it quickly. ---- The other thought of changing in the winter and letting the returning martins work with it has some merit also.
My self, I would go with eggs or baby time. I hope others give their opinion on this also. Truth is it probably doesn't matter.
Best of luck
I seem to have the fat starlings here in central Indiana too because I have never seen a starling get into a crescent entrance. (peck on wood)
My starlings look like a black foot ball propped up on two tooth picks.
I hope the dummys that brought starling and the HOSP into this country are buried under a large martin rousting site.
The question about when to change the entrance from round to crescent. Some will say a good time is when eggs or young babies are their. The thinking is that the parents will get in and get confortable with it quickly. ---- The other thought of changing in the winter and letting the returning martins work with it has some merit also.
My self, I would go with eggs or baby time. I hope others give their opinion on this also. Truth is it probably doesn't matter.
Best of luck
2009, 1 pair of SYs w/4 eggs - wait, no 4 babies and all 4 fledged. What a great experience.
2010, 2 ASY pair and 2 SY pair 18eggs / 14 fledged.
2011, 12 pair with 49 eggs, 43 fledged.
2012, 20 pair with 113 eggs as of 1 June
2013, 22 pair with 112 eggs as of 9 June
2014, 23 pair with 113 eggs
2010, 2 ASY pair and 2 SY pair 18eggs / 14 fledged.
2011, 12 pair with 49 eggs, 43 fledged.
2012, 20 pair with 113 eggs as of 1 June
2013, 22 pair with 112 eggs as of 9 June
2014, 23 pair with 113 eggs
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MidTNJerry
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:14 am
- Location: Tennessee/Murfreesboro
I never open my gourds' round holes. There's just too many starlings here, and I'm not up for the fight.
Then again, I don't have any martins either. I have a pair that's having regular visits, so I'm going to keep things the way they are with just the half moon holes open. The last thing I need is starlings to take over and/or kill my new martin pair inside a gourd.
Then again, I don't have any martins either. I have a pair that's having regular visits, so I'm going to keep things the way they are with just the half moon holes open. The last thing I need is starlings to take over and/or kill my new martin pair inside a gourd.
2013 -
2012 - Dawnsong CD playing every morning. Many, many visitors.
2011 - Many visitors.
2012 - Dawnsong CD playing every morning. Many, many visitors.
2011 - Many visitors.
You are all so dedicated and I hope I can live up to being a good landlord. I wanted to add my 2 cents here about your wife who doesn't want you to harm any bird. And I'm a woman who's seen enough to get over it. I'm the one that puts them down. My husband leaves that chore to me.
Last year I think our PM Trio Castle was attacked by a hawk because of the destruction I found in each of 3 nests one morning. One nest was miraculously saved with 2 babies that fledged. The other PMs never came back.
We made a hawk guard and felt we were protecting them. actually now I believe it was STs and I don't know why they would raid the existing nests like that. I have my hawk guard in case I see any hawks checking out the colony today. I'm not using it now since I feel like I was incorrect about the hawk. I discovered the day I opened my house in the spring the ST would arrive to move in. Hmmmm.
And I am using CH or EH doors now exclusively. The porch idea is a new one I would like to explore this winter.
Just like the pics you find on the Internet I've seen that in my BB houses. It's sickening to discover. Nature is cruel but we have to be good landlords by protecting these birds. If it was God's way the ST and HS would still be in Europe. Man interfered and we all pay for someone messing in Mother Nature.
Each day is a simple joy watching PMs soar!
Linda
Last year I think our PM Trio Castle was attacked by a hawk because of the destruction I found in each of 3 nests one morning. One nest was miraculously saved with 2 babies that fledged. The other PMs never came back.
We made a hawk guard and felt we were protecting them. actually now I believe it was STs and I don't know why they would raid the existing nests like that. I have my hawk guard in case I see any hawks checking out the colony today. I'm not using it now since I feel like I was incorrect about the hawk. I discovered the day I opened my house in the spring the ST would arrive to move in. Hmmmm.
And I am using CH or EH doors now exclusively. The porch idea is a new one I would like to explore this winter.
Just like the pics you find on the Internet I've seen that in my BB houses. It's sickening to discover. Nature is cruel but we have to be good landlords by protecting these birds. If it was God's way the ST and HS would still be in Europe. Man interfered and we all pay for someone messing in Mother Nature.
Each day is a simple joy watching PMs soar!
Linda